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The Big Sleep
1946
Chandler's first novel introduced private detective Philip Marlowe, and THE BIG SLEEP set the standard for private detective movies. Down-at-the-heels private eye Marlowe gets the assignment to clean up after the daughters of a dying millionaire, but dead people have a nasty habit of trailing in their wake. The famously .. Read more
| Starring | Humphrey Bogart, Charles Waldron, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone |
|---|---|
| Director | Howard Hawks |
| Genres | Thriller |
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The Big Sleep
Chandler's first novel introduced private detective Philip Marlowe, and THE BIG SLEEP set the standard for private detective movies. Down-at-the-heels private eye Marlowe gets the assignment to clean up after the daughters of a dying millionaire, but dead people have a nasty habit of trailing in their wake. The famously tortuous story line (Hawks supposedly asked Chandler to clarify a plot point about the murder of the family chauffeur; the novelist hadn't a clue as to who did the deed) seems beside the point when Bogart and Bacall are onscreen. The final release was recut to include more of their scenes together. A must! Remade in 1978.
| Starring | Humphrey Bogart, Charles Waldron, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, Elisha Cook Jr Jr., Elisha Cook, Regis Toomey, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers, Charles D. Brown, Sonia Darrin, Louis Jean Heydt, Peggy Knudsen, Tom Rafferty, Bob Steele |
|---|---|
| Director | Howard Hawks |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 must-see movies |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | French, Italian |
| Hearing-impaired | English, Italian |
| Subtitles | DVD: Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 15 May 2006 Production year: 1946 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Inextricably complicated, moody thriller from a novel whose author claimed that even he did not know 'who done it'. The film is nevertheless vastly enjoyable along the way for its slangy script, star performances and outbursts of violence, suspense and sh
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"...The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall is so blatant it's no surprise to learn they were married the same year. A joy..." -- 5 out of 5 stars
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Only One Oscar!
Bogart is so brilliant in everything he does that its a shame he only recieved one Oscar for 'The African Queen'. With 'The Big Sleep', there is no exception, Bogart fizzes and crackles with charisma and charm as if he's constantly sharing a private joke with the audience, making light of any situation he finds himself in and remains a clear relation to the audeinces understanding of the film. We see what he sees and go where he goes. And through the ever-expanding maze of intrigue and mystery the plot boasts we never once tire of his company. At times the narrative is a little rushed, too many names are thrown at you too often and the revelation may require a large attention span to fully understand and care whats going on. However, despite its flaws it remains a powerful and charismatic film noir, a must-see for both fans of the genre and Bogart.
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Most recent members' review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
The Big Leap
Howard Hawks' major entry into the film noir genre, 'The Big Sleep' is a brilliantly written adaptation of Raymond Chandler's detective novel. The opening shot, that of two silhouettes wreathed in smoke, embodies the spirit of noir as well as hinting at the complex web of deceit covered in the story.
The plot itself can become a bit of a headache (several parts integral to the novel were even left out of the film) but Hawks slows the pace down judiciously to let Bogart trade lines with Bacall, the ultimate femme fatale. Even though not everything is revealed with clarity, the tentative suggestions of homosexuality and pornography are just as gripping as the shoot-outs and double-crosses.
A classic movie, then, one which isn't as taut as 'The Maltese Falcon' but has enough smoky atmosphere to make it equal in stature. -
News and features
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On screen chemistry explained
- 27 Apr 2004
Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy have the best screen chemistry ever, according to top scientists. The Royal Society of Chemistry tested the silver-screen couple using a special formula - instead of in the lab or box-office and Oscar success. The nation's top chemists said that - like any chemical reaction - film chemistry needed two contrasting ingredients which combine to make something with "all the right stuff". John Emsley, author of the report "Vanity, Vitality and... Read more
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